“Texas PTA is concerned that membership is declining," he said. "However, we are still half a million members strong, and we remain the largest child advocacy association in Texas and the second largest PTA in the country.”

Otha Thornton, president-elect of the National PTA, is part of an impressive local turnaround in PTA strength that he wants to rekindle on a national scale.

When he signed up to help lead the PTA at Maryland’s Meade Senior High School in 2005, the chapter had about 25 members. Within two years, membership soared to 400 as the school community mobilized to boost morale and academic performance.

“I tell parents: ‘Other people are making choices for you and your children. We need you at the table,’ ” said Thornton.